Sports Personalities

Dalip Singh (April 27,1899)

To the late Brigadier Dalip Singh goes the credit of being the
first Sikh to represent India in the Olympics. The 1924 Olympic
Games were held in Paris in which India sent a contingent of seven
athletes. In this seven-man squad, two Sikhs, Dalip and Palam made
their debut.
The Sikh had missed the bus only four years ago when six Indian
athletes had participated in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics. Dalip
Singh could not have made to the Paris Olympics Games but for the
patronage and help coming in from the late Magarajadhiraj
Bhupinder Singh of Patiala. It may be recalled that Dalip Singh
besides being a fine athlete was a good hockey player also. When
the trails were to be held at Lahore (now in Pakistan) for the
Paris Olympics, Dalip Singh was scheduled to play for Patiala
Tigers, a hockey team. It was here that the Maharaja of Patiala
came to recognise his worth and helped him take a well-deserved
place in the seven -man athletic team. It is true that the team
then did not bring home any laurels, but it is on record that two
among the Indian athletic performed really well, and one of them
was Dalip Singh. In the long jump event, he narrowly missed a mark
which could have earned him a place among the first six.

Another honour which went to Dalip Singh was that he was the first
Indian, a Sikh, to be the torch-bearer at the inaugural Asian
Games at Delhi in 1951.

Born at Dolon village district, Dalip Singh had his schooling in
Mission School, that he joined Forman Christian College and Law
College, Lahore. Even at School he showed potential of a good
sportsman, nay all-rounder. In fact, he emerged as a fine athlete,
showing great skill in 100,200,440 yards, 120 yards hurdles and
long jump during the university days. He played hockey and cricket
too.

But he got the real breakthrough when he was selected to represent
India in the 1924 Paris Olympics he was the captain of the Indian
athletic team.

In fact, Dalip Singh can be described as a very distinguished man,
In World War II, Dalip served the Patiala Infantry. He had joined
the Patiala army in 1924. For his services, he was awarded M.B.E (
Medal for British Empire).

Milkha Singh

Milkha Singh can be described as one of the most extraordinary
athletes of our times. Milkha Singh was a genius and a genius is
never trained. Without any formal training, without any financial
reward and without any emotional support (he lost his parents
during Partition and he had only an elder brother
and a sister to look for help) Milkha Singh took on the greatest
athletes of his time and proved himself as good if not better. The
burst of speed with which he broke the previous Olympic Games
record of 5.9 seconds in 400 meters is now a part of folk lore in
Punjab. The fairy tale is repeated as part of Punjab's rich
heritage. Milkha is no less popular than Pele in Brazil and
Maradona in Argentina. Generation after generation in India will
remember fondly his exploits with which he set the tracks ablaze
whenever and wherever he ran. Rarely has it happened in the
Olympic history when so many athletes went on to break the
greatest race of his time, this he had to, since he had to, since
he had on blocks with him world's greatest athletes of his time.
Who would have dared to challenge their might, expect Milkha, who
though respected them yet never feared them. He simply ran-SUPERB.

In the first heat in the Rome Olympics in 190 Milkha Singh clocked
47.6 seconds to finish second. In the second round heat Milkha cut
off a few second to finish second to Karl Kaufman of Germany with
a timing of 46.5 seconds. In the semifinal Milkha ran shoulder to
shoulder with Ottis Davis of the USA to Finnish once again second
but he further clipped a few more seconds from his early timing
(45.9) .In the final Milkha Singh went off the blocks and took an
early lead. Midway he slowed down a bit. This proved his undoing
because other athletes went past him. Realising his
miscalculation, Mikha drew out every ounce of energy for the final
burst but failed to retrieve the lost ground. How fiercely was the
race run by runners of such high order can be gauged from the fact
that the winner Ottis Davis and Kaufman clocked 44.8 seconds to
finish first and second in 400 meters while Mel Spence of South
Africa timed 45.5 seconds to finish third. Milkha Singh who
actually led the pack was untimely fourth, timing 45.6 seconds, a
difference of just 0.1 second from the bronze. Thus upto the final
he clocked 47.6, 46.5, 45.9 and 45.6 seconds, clocking a better
timing in every outing.

Talking about the race Milkha Singh explained that he found
himself running at a reckless speed in the initial stages of the
race. Thus he tried to slow down a bit and this proved to be a big
error of judgement on his part. Pitted against athletes of such
high class only a small error separated the winner from the loser.

Twenty eight years have passed since Milkha hung his spikes yet no
athlete has ever gone nearer Milkha's magical timing. He was a
product of that time when no facilities existed, no coach
available, no reward offered and no job secured, yet armed only
with an iron will and the will to draw his own course, Milkha
reversed the movement of the wheels of destiny.

Born at Layallpur, now in Pakistan, on October 8, 1935, Milkha
Singh shot into limelight during the National Games at Patiala in
1956. Two years later he shattered the 200 and 400 meters record
in the National games at Cuttack. The same year he established new
records in the 200 and 400 meters in the Asian games at Tokyo. He
followed it up with a gold in the Commonwealth Games at Cardiff in
1958. How did he come to be known as the "Flying Sikh"?.
Milkha Singh was participating in the Indo-Pak duel meet at Lahore
when he outran Asia's most celebrated athlete in the 200 meters,
Abdul Khaliq of Pakistan. It was said that Milkha did not run the
race but he flew.

Milkha Singh is sad to find that his exploits and achievements
have not gone so far to inspire the younger generation. He is
critical of the young athletes who aspire to reach the top via
short cut and refuse to sweat out in the field. The government
offers a number of facilities, there are a number of awards and
scholarships, professional colleges offer seats to sportsman, jobs
are secured for them, yet sportsmen of high order never emerge. It
is the age of mediocrity.

Milkha Singh is, at present, Additional Director of Sports and
Youth Programme, Education Department. Married to former
international player, Nirmal, he has one son and three daughters.
His son, Chiranjeev Milkha Singh, is a top golfer and represented
India in the Beijing Asian Games in 1990.

Hardly anyone knows in India why Milkha Singh was so popular in
the 1960 Rome Olympics. The moment he would enter the stadium, the
people would cheer him most enthusiastically. After all Milkha
Singh was not the world's top athlete, no doubt he was among the
top runners in the world. Though Rome saw the assembly of top
athletes, yet no athlete could draw as much response from the
crowd as Milkha Singh.

The real reason for Milkha Singh to be extremely popular among the
people was that Milkha Singh had long hair and beard. People in
Rome had not seen any athlete with a hair do on his head. They
thought the man was a saint. So they wondered how a saint could
run so fast. In addition to that none in Rome had any knowledge
about Sikhism. The people often came to Milkha Singh and asked why
he grew long hair. What is a Sikh, what is Sikhism, they hardly
understood anything about the young religion. Milkha Singh
enlightened them as much as he could. Yet the people remained as
curious as ever.

Besides, Mulkha Singh had embarked on a European tour before
landing in Rome. He had won a number of races on route to Rome.
Since he had made some of the top athletes lick the dust in a
number of competitions, his popularity had spread far and wide
even before he reached Rome. In the Olympics too Milkha Singh ran
true to his form and ruined the reputation of some of the
established stars. Almost all Sikh athletes and sportsmen tied a
handkerchief on their hair-do since 'patka' was unknown in those
days. Thus Milkha Singh 's different headgear and his athletic
exploits made him the darling of the crowd both on and off the
track. Milkha Singh himself admits that he was popular because of
being a Sikh. The long hair and the bread fascinated the Romans.

Milkha Singh had so much conditioned himself that at any given
time and place he could run two races in a day. This superiority
of strength had enabled him to win a number of races in the world.
However, this superiority did not stand him in good stead at Rome
for the simple reason that there was a gap of two days between
semifinal and final races. This made Milkha Singh nervous. He felt
very dispirited and off-colour. A day before the race Milkha Singh
felt disturbed . But at that time a Punjab minister, Mr Umrao
Singh, Who was the then president of the All-India Athletics
Association,came into his room and took him out for fresh air.
This eased the tension a bit and his mind was taken off the
competition. The minister took him to some of the wonderful places
of the city of Rome and later dropped him at his hotel.

Though Milkha Singh was feeling normal the next day, luck did not
help him a bit. While other top athletes got better lanes, Milkha
Singh was placed in the fifth. The lot put a German athlete in the
first lane, the American in the second, a Pole in the third and
South African in the fourth while the second German athlete was
placed in the sixth lane. According to Milkha's assessment, the
German was the weakest of all the other athletes. Thus being in
the fifth lane, Milkha could only see the second German athlete.
Thus a weak athlete in front was no advantage.

Therefore, Milkha Singh took off the blocks with a great burst of
speed, and managed to lead the pack within 200 metres. But Milkha
Singh was running at a dangerously fast speed, so he thought of
slowing down a bit. As soon as he checked his speed, in a flash
three runners, he failed to erase the deficit of five or six yards
in the last 100 meters. Since he found it impossible to catch up
with the first two athletes, Milkha Singh tried to outpace South
Africa's Melcolm Spence whom he had beaten in the Commonwealth
Games. But as ill-luck would have it, Spence got himself into the
first two runners and Milkha found himself unable to catch up
with. Almost all the first four athletes crossed the line one
after another. It was a photo finish. Thus the announcement was
held up. When the film was washed and the results were announced,
the world of Milkha Singh lay shattered. In sheer despair Milkha
Singh took to drinking to drown his disappointment. No matter how
hard he tried he failed to remove the scar of defeat from his
mind.

Two events stand out clear in the life of Milkha Singh, one the
Partition when his parents were butchered, and second the defeat
at Rome. Therefore, when an invitation came Milkha Singh's way to
run in Pakistan, he was not enthusiastic about it. He hated the
place for; he had lost his parents and other relatives in a
traumatic experience. However, he was persuaded to run against
Asia's best runner, Abdul Khaliq of Pakistan. Khaliq was the best
runner that Pakistan had produced and he had a string of victories
in the 200 metres in Asia.

But as the 200 meters race began, Milkha Singh outpaced the
Pakistani from the word `go' and won in one of the most convincing
manners. The people were wonder struck at the pace at which Milkha
Singh had run the race. It was announced that Milkha had not run
but had flown. It was during this race that Milkha Singh earned
the `title' of the "Flying Sikh." The whole stadium was
packed to capacity and the people had gathered to se the key
contest between two of Asia's finest runners. So when the Indian
runner breasted the tape, the 30,000 burqa-clad women uncovered
their faces to have a clear view of the Sikh wonder athlete .
Milkha Singh was taken to the VIP gallery and introduced to
Pakistan President General Ayub who was himself present at the
stadium in Lahore.

Milkha Singh was awarded the prestigious 'Padam Shri' by the
President of India in 1958 when he won the gold medal in the
British and Commonwealth Games till now.

All medals and trophies won by Milkha Singh, including the running
shoes with which he broke the world record, blazers and uniforms
have been donated by him to the National Sports Museum at the
Jawajarlal Nehu Stadium, New Delhi.

Milkha Singh has keen desire to witness an Indian athlete win a
gold Medal in the Olympic Games, a target which just slipped away
from his hand by slight error of judgement.

After retirement Milkha Singh wants to set up an athletic academy
in or around Chandigarh so that he can end the draught of top
athletes.

1. Lall Singh : Born Dec. 16, 1909; HAD THE HONOUR OF PLAYING
INDIA 'S FIRST TEST One Test,2 innings, 44 runs,29 h.s. avge.
22.00 one catch and no bowling.

2. Yadavindra Singh : (MAHARAJA OF PATIALA)
Born : January 17, 1913. Died June 17, 1974 at the Hague. Played
one Test against England at Madras in 1933-34 scoring 60 and 24
runs and held two catches. No bowling.

Bishan Singh Bedi

On a winter evening in 1979, a cricketer after a strenuous workout
session was returning to a pavilion in Delhi when suddenly three
small boys hardly in their teens, with muddy faces whispered his
name and then giggled. The man at once broke his company, gave an affectionate
pat on each head and then shook their rough hands as the juvenile
souls stood dazed in amazement.
While travelling in a train, an up-and coming cricketer jokingly
asked this man why he was carrying a bat which was of little use
to him as he batted at the end for a few seconds, sometimes
playing just a ball or two. Smilingly, the man obliged the young
cricketer who stood surprised at the former's gesture.

After finishing his assignment with a country club in England,
this man on his way back purchased a set of wicket-keeper a gloves
for a promising lad, son of a groundsman, on his own.

A Mohammedan boy lay ill in a Karachi hospital a few years ago
with no hope of survival. The reason? Blood group 'O' was
available neither at hospital nor was anybody ready to donate a
few drops to save his precious life. Suddenly the boy's parents
got an anonymous cal. Startled, the parents asked who he was. The
voce at the other end said:"A man." In a few minutes the
man appeared on the scene for donating his blood to save the life
of someone who did not belong to his faith even.

Who was this man, involved in some out ---of the book incidents
cited above? Certainly, he was none other than Bishan Singh Bedi,
one of the all-time greats in the annals of international cricket.
India has produced bowlers, say spinners of great merit but Bedi
had no peers, he was a cut above the rest.

A bowler of extra-ordinary potential with extra-ordinary sight, a
fine patka over his long hair wound in a knot at the to. Bedi
bowled and baffed many a great bat in the world. In a clockwork
precision, Bedi bowled overs as no other bowler would do,
maintaining a computerised length and direction, weaving a magic
web with his vicious deliveries around the players' legs. He razed
to dust the reputation of some, while he made other stalwarts look
pedestrians before him. He flighted the ball giving a lot of air
to it. Batsmen who plundered runs at will before, were suddenly
found lacking in the art and science of the game when Bedi came to
bowl. Great cricketers like Australia's Doung Walters found
himself many times bowled lock, stock and barrel by a slow
orthodox Bedi delivery that on view seemed perfect for a six. John
Edrich, onedown batsman for England for a pretty long time, failed
to complete the century, once, falling to a Bedi delivery which
spun in viciously after pitching. It is on record that Bedi
finished the career prematurely of some fine cricketers in the
game. But the more he was ruthless on the field the more he was
gentle and humane off the file. The honour of the country remained
always dear to him, nothing could distract him from his goal. When
the traditional test cricket faced danger from Australian T.V.
tycoon Kerry Packer, Bedi defied the million dollar-offer and
single-handedly held aloft the flag of Test cricket.

Bedi is and was a great crusader. Following principles of morality
and merit, he dared defy the authority of all mortals. He
vehemently attacked those he found stooping below the level of
sportsmanship. He fought many a battle, no matter whether he won
or lost. May 11 would go down in history as the Red Letter day for
Asia as on this day, Bedi spoke from the United Nations Platform
in New York against apartheid in sports practiced by South Africa.
It was for the first time that an Indian was given the rare honour
of addressing the United Nations. After he was introduced by the
then Nigerian Chairman of the committee as 'one of the finest spin
bowlers in the world', Bedi said:

Indian consider apartheid in sports practised by South Africa as a
negation of the principles of human dignity.' I call upon all the
sports organisations of the world to work united to end the
practice. The only effective weapon in this direction is for the
countries of the world to sever sporting contracts between their
nationals and the nationals of south Africa. I am aware I have
been chosen for the honour by the committee because of this
citizenship of a country which has been in the vanguard of the
international movement against the evil system of apartheid in
South Africa for several decades. Today apartheid in South Africa
has been abolished.

He has already been awarded the Arjuna and Padam Shri awards.

Bishan Singh Bedi was born at Amritsar, the Sikhs' spiritual
capital, on September 25, 1946. He finished his schooling
unnoticed. But his ability as a potential bowler came to view only
after he joined Khalsa College, Amritsar. He showed sparks of
brilliance while bowling slow left spinners. Convinced as the
captain was of his class and calibre, Bedi was given long spells
of bowling thus learning the tricks in the trade of spin bowling.
Next year, he joined Hindu College, because the new institution
afforded him a lot of opportunities to shape himself into a fine
bowler. Rightly Bedi enhanced his reputation and rating on the
cricket scene as he gradually rose from one step to another. From
the college to the university team from Punjab to the North Zone
side, Bedi advanced with effortless ease. The early encouragement,
his success and total commitment to the cause of cricket paid rich
dividends. Often in sweltering heat of the summer, the people saw
a young man in turban bowling alone for hours at a stretch.
Determination and devotion of this kind could not but yield
results later.

Bedi after establishing his credentials well in the state and zone
soon caught the eye of the national selectors who put him to
severe test against a team led by an all-time great Garry St. A.
Sobers of the West Indies. Thus in the second Test played from
December 31, 1996, to January 5, 1967, at Calcutta, the people saw
a lean figure sporting a bread and turban descending on the
cricket field. Though India lost, Bedi won the hearts of both
spectators and selectors. From the on started the success story of
this fine spinner. As the years went by Bedi became an integral
part of the team. His cricketing exploits are now almost
legendary. He played against all cricket playing countries :
England, Australia, the West Indies, New Zeeland and Pakistan.
With 266 wickets in the bag, he was at one time the fifth biggest
wicket-taker in the history of the world. At another time some
strongly believed that had he not been sidelined unceremoniously
by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, he would have gone
on to become the top wicket-taker. He led India in 22 Tests in a
row which in itself is a record for India as previously Mansoor
Ali Khan Pataudi held the distinction with 21 Tests. Bedi is also
the only Indian bowler to claim over 1500 wickets in first-class
cricket.

If Bedi's contribution to Indian cricket is great, to Delhi it is
ever greater. Helping those with no godfathers is another of
Bedi's pastime. He has helped many a budding player to hit the
headlines. In Delhi, he harnessed cricket potential to a great
extent, making it emerge as the premier side on the national
cricket scene. Convince him of a good cause, whether in sports or
in any other worthy field like collecting funds for the
handicapped, well, Bedi will be in the forefront of all noble
campaigns. And this is what has endeared Bedi to the public. Even
after his retirement from the game, he remains the heart throb of
the millions not only in India but the world over. Fully
subscribing to the Sikh faith and ideology, Bedi remains a popular
figure to the millions of Sikhs in India and abroad.

Bedi is employed in SAIL at Delhi.

Navjot Singh Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu is Punjab's answer to Tamil Nadh's K. Srikkanth,
both India's dashing opening batsmen and both hard-hitters of the
bal. Both cannot be tied down no matter of what country the pace
attack they are facing, both like to leave the crease to lift the
ball into the stands for glorious sixes, sometimes even on demand.
In the sixties all round Salim Durrani delighted the crowds,
spraying sixes on all sides. In the seventies and eighties both
Srikkanth and Sidhu were the start performers on the Indian
cricket scene. If Srikkanth was a folk hero in Tamil Nadu, Sidhu
is a hero in Punjab.
Sidhu took to cricket because with his father, the late Bhagwant
Singh Sidhu, the game was a passion. He wanted to see Sidhu as a
top-class cricketer. So he took him everywhere, followed him like
a shadow and ensured Sidhu had a cricket atmosphere around. From
the beginning Sidhu showed great promise. As the years rolled by
he polished his game further and removed whatever flaws he had in
his technique.

Sidhu first represented the country in England with the under-19
Indian team led by Ravi Shastry. His performance was satisfactory.
But Navjot Sidhu showed his real class during the West Indies tour
of India. Playing for the North Zone Sidhu first cricket a century
against the West Indies. Later he was included in the Board
President's XI when he scored 70 odd runs. This ensured him a
place in the Indian team. Thus Sidhu made his Test debut against
the West Indies led by Clive Llyod in 1983. In the years that
followed Sidhu had matured into a fine cricketer.

Navjot hit the maiden test century (116) against New Zeeland led
by John Wright. In five Test innings Sidhu aggregated 198 at an
average of 49.50. So he was able to establish himself as a
successful Test cricketer from Punjab.

But in the three one-day internationals against New Zeeland Sidhu
scored 25,67 and 14 which gave him an average of 35.53. In the
1987 Reliance Cup Sidhu had time and again hammered the opposition
into submission. However, against the Kiwis he was less
authoritative. At the Cuttack international where he hit 67 runs,
he ducked awkwardly to give a rising catch to wicket-keeper Ian
Smith. It had given rise to the view in certain quarters that
Sidhu was vulnerable against rising deliveries. However, the
opinion was not well founded going by his scores in the Reliance
Cup. In what World Cup Sidhu hit 73 against Australia, 75 against
New Zeeland, 51 against Australia again, 55 against Zimbabwe and
22 against England.

But lately Sidhu has been in and out of the Indian team. Initially
he was not selected in the Indian team for the Australian tour in
1992 but was recalled mid-way through the tour. But Sidhu
obviously did not succeed as much as the Board of Control for
Cricket in India (BCCI) wanted him to. Consequently, he was
dropped from the Indian team for the World Cup. However, some
strongly felt that he was unceremoniously axed.

However, Sidhu has still years of cricket in him. If he keeps away
injuries and maintains his physical fitness, he will most
naturally walk into the national team and don the India cap,
rather turban in his case.

At present Navjot Sidhu is working as an officer with the State
Bank of Patiala.

Inder Singh

The celebrated king of soccer, striker Inder Singh will go down in
the annals of Indian football as a legend. He has been rightly
described as "Pele' of Punjab.He is one Sikh footballer who
has brought immense glory to the state. Speed and skill were the
chief weapons of his game. He pounced upon the ball like a panther
and when he went on an attacking spree he put any defence out of
gear. He trapped the ball with remarkable skill and scored from
acute angles. It was with this nerve that in the 1974 National
Foorball Championship.

He earned the distinction of leading the Indian football team
thrice. In 1969 he became the first Punjab player to play in the
Asian All-Star team. He was presented the Arjuna Award in 1969.
Inder Singh studied at Government High School, Phagwara. He
attended his first Punjab school soccer camp in 1959 where the
camp-in-charge was Joginder Singh. He was quick to learn. Form
1959 to 1961 he represented Punjab in the All India school Games.
In 1960 and 1961 he was declared the best player and highest
scorer in the School Games. In 1962 he joined Leaders Club (Jalandhar).
The same year here presented Punjab in the Santosh Trophy at
Bangalore. In 1963 he was selected in the Indian team which played
in the pre- Olympic meet in Iran and at Calcutta. The same year he
played in the Asia Cup at Tel Aviv where in the final Israll
defeated India 2-0. Then he played in Merdeka soccer at Kuala
Lumpur where India finished second. In 1966 Inder Singh toured
Burma and played in theAsian Games at Bangkok. In 1969 he was
named skipper of the Indian team to play in Merdeka soccer. Next
year's Merdeka turned unlucky for him as he badly injured his
knee.

Inder Singh was recalled to the coaching camp in 1971-72 but could
not attend it because he was not fully fit. In 1973 he again led
India in Merdeka.In 1975 he captained India in the Hakim Gold Cup
tournament in Indonesia. Playing against South Korea, He broke his
right arm.

Since 1975 he has not played for India. From 1962 to 77 he
continuously represented Punjab. In 1972 he left Leaders Club and
joined Jagatjit Cotton Textile Mills (Phagwara).

Inder Singh who was born in 1943 has been with the J.C.T. Mills (Phagwara).

Udham Singh

Sansrpur village on the outskirts of Jalandhar is well-known for
producing top hockey players for India. One whose stickwork
dazzled and fascinated the people was Udham Singh, the centre
forward in many of India's battles. He could have become the
only Indian, a Sikh, to represent India in five successive Olympic
Games but that was not to be, injury prevented him from acquiring
that honour. Now after Lesile Claudius, he is the only Indian
player who has donned national colours in four successive
Olympics. These were 1952 Helsinki Olympics (under D.S. Babu) ,
1956 Melbourne Olympics (under L. Claudiua) and Tokyo Olympics
(under Charanjit Singh).

Udham singh has been known to be a versatile forward. He could
play at left -inside, right -inside, centre-forward or click at
centre-half position too. This man has dedicated and devoted his
entire life to sports and still, he maintains himself as fit as
during his heydays. B.S.F. had the hockey team full of renowned
Olympians such as Ajit Pal, Baldev Singh and others. It is on
record that once when his team was trailing in a tournament he got
himself into the playing kit and turned the tables.

Before joining the B.S.F. he served in the Punjab Police. One
thing which surprises one is how and why so great a player just
failed to lead the country in any Asian or the Olympic Games. His
hockey career spans from 1949 to 1964, and during this period, he
led India thrice, first in 1953 when the Indian team went on a
tour of Warsaw (Poland). Secondly Udham was the captain on
Indian's East African and European tours in 1959. Last time he led
the Indian team on Australian and New Zeeland tours.

However, giving full recognition and respect to his services which
he rendered to the nation, the Indian Government awarded him the
coveted Arjuna Award.

Following is the full chart of his hockey career :

1949

Afghanistan

1952

Helsinki Olympics

1953 (as captain)

Warsaw (Poland)

1956

Melbourne Olympics

1958

Asian Games, Tokyo (Japan)

1959 (as captain)

East African & European tour

1960

Rome Olympics

1961 (as skipper)

Ausralia-New Zeeland tour

1963

Leon (France)

1964

Tokyo Olympics

Ajit Pal Singh

Ajit Pal Singh was rightly acclaimed as "one of the best
centre halfs in the worlds" during his time. He led India to
a sensational victory in the third world Cup Hockey
Tournament at Kaula Lumpur in 1975. But next year with practically
the same team he saw India crashing to the seventh place in the
Montreal Olympics Games.

Born on April 1, 1947, Ajit pal Singh learnt the alphabet of
hockey in his native Sansarpur village, the bastion of hockey
during that time. A number of players from this village had
already represented India in the Olympics and a number of
international tournaments.

He first played in an international hockey tournament at Bombay in
1960. Later he represented India in Japan in 1966. Having finished
his studies at the school, Ajit Pal Singh joined Layalpur Khalsa
College, Jalandhar, which had honour of a number of star hockey
players. Ajit Pal Singh got the first real break when, as student
of B.A. Part-I, he was selected in the Indian team to play in the
Pre-Olympic Hockey Tournament at permanently on the rolls of
Indian hockey team. Next year Ajit Pal Singh gave a dazzling show
of stickwork in the Mexico Olympic Games. He showed what a fine
sense of distribution he had and how he helped make the half-line
function smoothly. Ajit pal Singh showed such dexterity and skill
at his position that he was included in the World Hockey teams of
1971,72 and 73. He next represented India in the 1974 Asian Games
at Teheran. Consequently he was included in the Asian All-Star
Hockey XI the same year.

But he reached the pinnacle of glory in 1975 when he led India to
the third World Cup victory in Kuala Lumpur in the most trying
circumstances. The Punjab Government had borne all expenses prior
to the participation by organising a camp for the team in Punjab.
The whole country was in great jubilation. For the first time
hockey seemed to get priority over cricket in the country.

Ajit Pal next toured New Zeeland. But in 1976 in the Montreal
Olympics Games India suffered the most humiliating defeat under
Ajit Pal Singh when they finished seventh. No one seemed ready for
an answer what went wrong for, India had fielded practically the
same team which had won the third World Cup title.

Fed up with the Indian show at Montreal and in view of the
mounting criticism in the country, Ajit Pal Singh retired from the
international hockey scene. However, he continued playing for the
BSF where he was employed as Assistant Commandant. He was also not
happy the way the Indian Hockey Federation managed its affairs
treating the players shabbily off and on the field.

Four years later Ajit Pal Singh came out of retirement to play in
the Champions Trophy Tournament at Karachi in 1980. That untimely
became his last international appearance for India. Ajit Pal Singh
was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1972.

Ajit Pal Singh shared one common trait with the late Surjit Singh.
He always challenged the highhandedness of IHF bosses who showed
scant respect for the boys who toiled in the field for the
country's honour. He was very vocal in criticising the IHF
working. But as a player, Ajit Pal Singh was very shrewd, a great
schemer and played hockey in his mind. At present, he owns a
Centre-Half filling station in Delhi.

Surjit Singh

The opinion may be divided among hockey fans as to who was the
best deep defender between Prithipal Singh and Surjit Singh. However,
none can deny that both possessed extraordinary skill, sound
tackling and fine recovery besides unleashing thouderbolts from
the heavy blades of their sticks.

Both served the country in the Olympics Games and a host of
international tournaments with deep commitment to the game, It was
tragic that Surjit Singh after his retirement from the game, died
in a road accident near Kartarpura in Jalandhar district while
arranging to organise his benefit tie at Jalandhar.

While Surjit Singh was unassuming and soft spoken, he had great
differences with Indian Hockey federation bosses over the raw deal
given to the hockey players. Like Bishan Singh Bedi in cricket,
Surjit always upheld the player's cause. He was pained to find how
hockey players were treated like 'herd of cattle'. Frustrated and
disillusioned, Surjit Singh hung his stick during the prime time
of his carrer.

Born on October 10, 1951, Surjit Singh played for Guru Nanak Dev
University and later for Combined Universities team. Being
talented he played a compact game from the very beginning and did
not have to exert much to catch the selectors' eye. Once in the
national team he did not look back and gave dazzling performance
during his short but eventful career during which he became the
players' spokesman. Surjit Singh made his debut internationally in
the second World Cup Hockey Tournament in Amsterdam in 1973. He
was a member of the Indian team which under the leadership of
charismatic leader Ajit Pal Singh won the third World Cup Hockey
Tournament at Kuala Lumpur in 1975. Later, he participated in the
fifth World Cup Hockey Tournament, the 174 and 1978 Asian Games.
He once again played under the leadership of Ajit Pal Singh in the
Montreal Olympic Games in 1976 when Indian hockey nosedived.

Surjit Singh was acclaimed as one of the best full backs in the
world. In 1973 he was included in the World Hockey XI. Next year
he was a member of the All-Star Hockey XI. Surjit Singh was also
the top scorer-both in the Esanda International hockey Tournament
at Perth in Australia and the 1978 Asian Games.

Surjit Singh served the Indian Airlines for a few years. Later he
joined the Punjab Police. Surjit was simple but he endeared
himself to many with his pleasing personality. The world was
shocked when it came to know about his death in such tragic
circumstances. However, soon friends and fans got together to form
the Surjit Singh Memories fresh by organising a highly competitive
tournament. With Mr Jagir Puri as its secretary and the current
India hockey captain Pargat Singh as a Vice-President, the society
has not only been organising high-class competition year after
year, it has also been holding camps for junior boys to make
hockey stronger at the grassroots level. The society's fine
functioning has given such impetus to the game in the region that
bright and talented players are coming up in every age group. What
better tribute will be to Surjit Singh who always considered it a
sacred duty to fight for the cause of hockey and the players'
rights.

Pargat Singh

The amazing part of Pargat Singh's personality is that he looks
anything except a defender. He is slim and has less than average
height. He is far away from the picture of a common defender who
is strongly built and of good height. But Pargat Singh
has not allowed ordinary physical features to cast a shadow on his
standing as one the best deep defenders that the game has today.

Today, Indian hockey revolves round his stickwork. He is the most
skilful player on the Indian Hockey scene. He may have a different
style and approach to the game from the past Indian defenders but
he carries one common trait too, like them he is committed to the
cause of hockey and fully devoted. No wonder then that he has
already donned national colours in the Asia Cup, the Asian Games.

Born on March 5, 1965, at Mithapur near Jalandhar cantonment,
Pargat Singh had his early education at a village school.
Afrerwards he joined Lyallpur Khalsa College. Jalandhar, which
produced players of the calibre of Ajit Pal Singh and Surinder
Sodhi, both former captains. Soon Pargat Singh showed that he too
had a class of his own. As junior, he was included in the junior
Indian hockey team. That was the kind of inspiration Pargat Singh
needed. Graduating into the senior hockey team was a natural and
smooth process for Pargat Singh who started emerging as the most
talented player. He first represented India in the 10-nation
hockey tournament at Hong Kong.

Pargat Singh's ability as a defender of high order was quickly
realised. Pargat showed he had fine anticipation, skillful
tackling, superb ball control and excellent power of recovery. But
he added a different meaning to the concept of deep defence. He
adhered to the aggressive, attacking style. He was not content to
sit back, rather stand back and watch. No, he may suddenly leave
the fort and charge into the battle, rattling the rival forces.
The style no doubt had the disadvantage too for, it left gaps in
the defence. But the style yielded rich dividends too.

In the Champions Trophy at Perth in Australia, India were trailing
1-5 against Germany with just six minutes to go, But on that
particular day, Indians did not lose hoped to strike. And strike
they did. One after another India blasted three goals to make it
4-5. With only a few second to go, Pargat Singh collected the ball
from his own half and ran down the field. Dribbling and dodging,
he tore apart the German defence to sore a unique goal.

Pargat Singh repeated the action in the next Champions Trophy and
gave India a 3-2 victory over Holland. Soft spoken and unassuming,
Pargat Singh has been India's mainstay. Under his command India
gave often fared creditably. Attack is the best form of defence,
they say, and Pargat is the exponent of this art. He often carries
the fight into the rival camp. Since he is the captain of the
shop, his repeated forays into the enemy camp, inspire his
team-members. He is also leading India in the Barcelona Olympics.
Since Pargat Singh is young, India can still depend on him for a
number of years. Married recently Pargat Singh is young, India can
still depend on him for a number of years. Married recently Pargat
Singh also Vice-President of the Surjit Singh Memorial Hockey
Tournament Society of which Mr. Jagir Puri is the secretary. Both
are the main pillars of the society.

Jasjit Singh

Two events deserve to be recorded in golden letters in the pages
of the Indian lawn tennis history, one was when India made it to
the Challenge Round in 1974 included a Sikh player who had given a
magnificent performance for his team. It was for the first time
that a Sikh was donning India colours in lawn tennis. It is no
secret in India that this game has always been monopolised by the
south, for the obvious reason that better facilities and the
necessary infrastructure for the game exist only in that part of
the country, as still it does. On the national scene were such
names as Vijay Amrithraj, Anand Amrithraj, Premjit Lal, Jaideep
Mukherjee and Shashi Menon. Vijay Amrithraj by then had already
emergd as the undisputed top tennis player I the country with a
string of upsets over such great names of the game as Stan Smith,
and red-haired Australian Rod Laver, who has the unique
distinction of winning the Grand Salm twice.

Premjit and Jaideep were then struggling to retain their places in
the Indian team. But new faces were batting with old ones. One
such player who by sheer dint of his complete commitment to the
game managed to make it to the national grade was Jasjit Singh,
the first-ever Sikh to have moved into the Indian team. During the
pre-Independence period lawn tennis no doubt was a popular sport
in the North, thanks to the Patronage shown by Raj kumari Amrit
Kaur. But after the division of the country, the game had run
short of oxygen here. Thus the entry of Jasjit Singh was simply a
tribute to the ability of this young boy.

In 1974, India played Australia in the semifinal in India. The
Indian line-up was Vijay Amrithraj, Jasjit Singh and Anand
Amritraj, with Vijay and Jasjit playing singles while Vijay teamed
up later with Anand for the Sikh against Austrialia's Bob
Gillitman. In fact, India would have desired going one up
convincingly with Vijay playing the first single. However, that
was not to be. But hats off to the talented Jasjit who in a see
saw tussle against the Australian notched up the most creditable
victory for India. There as great rejoicing in the Indian camp.
The match had dragged down to the fifth set with both players
trying every trick in their trade. Fortunately, Indian ultimately
won the tie moving second time in the Challenge Round. Elated over
the victory, Vijay commented "Jasjit gave us a fine lead of
which India took full advantage. He played marvellous."

So that was Jasjit Singh for India. Jasjit Singh is the only Sikh
to have played in all the Grand Slam championships-the French
Open, the Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the Australian Open Tennis
Championships. His achievements include victories over many great
names in the game. For instance, his victory over Tony Roche, who
many times was a semi-finalist at the Wimbledon. Then he had
victories over American Davis Cup player Brian Gottfried, Ross
Case, Kim Warwick and Mika Estep. Estep had beaten India's Vijay
Amrithraj. Jasjit was ranked '70 in ATP ranking in 1974.

Jasjit Singh later settled down in New York, employed as Tennis
Director at Grossinger Hotel and Country Club, Grossinger, New
York.

Manjit Singh Dua

The player who had dominated the Indian table tennis for the
longest ever period is Manjit Singh Dua, the stylish left-handed
from New Delhi were he was born and raised. There has hardly been
any player in the annals of Indian table tennis who has enjoyed
such a long innings.

Embarking on the international scene, Manjit Dua has left a long
trail of personal glory with achievements galore in his career. He
carved out many notable victories with his close-to-the table fast
attacking game. His variety of 'serves' backed by nimble footwork,
accurate and sharp anticipation upset the apple cart of many a
heavyweight in the game.

Early in his life Manjit might have derived some inspiration from
his elder brother Rajinder Singh Dua who played the game. But it
soon became obvious that young Dua was destined to scale greater
heights. Forgetting other frivolities which occupy sometimes a
growing mind, Manjit put his heart and soul in the game and
concentrated on it in the right earnest.

Slowly Dua built up his game on a sound footing. Now he started
executing good strokes. He developed accuracy on both backhand and
forehand. His drives were powerful and his blocks perfect, leaving
the ball dead on the table in some obscure corner.

Dua soon caught the public eye. In 1967 he was selected in the
Delhi table tennis team. This was the first recognition of his
talent. From then on Dua went on from strength to strength,
bringing in more depth to his strokes, polish and power. The
result was that now Dua was that now Dua was considered a star on
the national table tennis circuit.

He got the real break in 1973 when he was chosen to lead Delhi for
the first time. The honour perhaps inspired the young star so much
that he steered himself to success after success. He first
captured the North Zone table tennis title at Jalandhar with
sparks of brilliance. But more was yet to follow that year.
Following up his North Zone success, he caused a flutter when he
overpowered Mir Kasim Ali, the reigning champion, to crown himself
as the new table tennis champion. Dua was the first Sikh player to
have achieved that honor.

It would be safe enough to say that from that year onwards, Dua
went on to win name and fame in the field of table tennis both at
home and abroad.

Next year although Dua failed to retain the national title, he on
account of his good performance throughout the year was ranked
number one in the country. Dua failed still next year despite
speculation in table tennis circle that he would emerge champion.
And he became the champion in 1976.

Dua kept leading Delhi in all the major tournaments .In 1974 and
80 under his captaincy, Delhi won the team title in the National
Table Tennis Championships.

In 1979 Manjit once again wrested the national table tennis title
for the third time. All through the years, he had been defeated
only in the semis or final. Never throughout his life defeated
only in the semis or final. Never throughout his life has he been
upset in the earlier rounds. For instance, in 1981 when the
country once again expected him to win the title for the fourth
time, he succumbed to Kamlesh Mehta in the semis that later easily
lost to V. Chandershekhar in the final.

Since 1973 when Dua became the national champion for the first
time, he has been representing India in all the major table tennis
tournaments all over the globe. In the Commonwealth T.T.
Championship at Bombay (India) in February, 1982, Dua won a bronze
medal in the men's singles event. He has taken part in all
Waterloos for his country, in the Asian, the Commonwealth and the
world Table Tennis Championships. People have often wondered at
his peak form, psychological built-up with extreme physical
fitness which he has maintained for an incredibly long time.
Declared as the best sportsman of Delhi 1974 besides ranked number
one in the country, Dua was also awarded the Arjuna Award the same
year.

Manjit Dua's performance at a glance:

1. National champion in 1973, 76 & 79.
Ranked Number one in 1974 in the country.

2. Had been representing Delhi since 1967.
Captained Delhi in the National T.T. Championships in 1974 &
80 which won the team title.

3. Had won all major tournaments of the country.

4. Captaining Delhi in all the major championships since 1973.

5. Represented India in the Asian T.T. Championships at china, DPR
Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Calcutta and Indonesia and the
Commonwealth T.T. Championship at Cardiff (Wales), Melbourne
(Australia), Edinburg (Scotland) and Bombay (India) and the World
Championships at Calcutta (India) and the world Championships at
Calcutta (India). Brimingham (U.K.), Jarajevo (Yugoslavia),
Pyongyong (DPR Korea), and Novisad (Yugoslavia).

6. Played in international tournaments in the USA, Canada,
Germany, Iran, Swedan, Nepal, Japan and South Korea.

7. Best Sportsman of Delhi in 1974.

8. Winner of Arjuna Award in 1974.

9. Bronze medal winner in the men's singles in the commonwealth
T.T. Championship at Bombay in 1982.

Yadvindra Singh (1913-74)

His Highness the late Maharaja Yadvindra Singh was a multi-faceted
personality. In the field of sports he started from where his
illustrious father had left. Maintaining high sporting traditions
of his family Yadvindra Singh worked for sports with such courage,
conviction and zeal that sports soon found itself on a firm
footing in his time. Graceful and handsome, he was a towering
figure. On the way he was dogged by many hurdles yet he advanced
on his royal march. He reared many sports organisations and gave
right direction to them. He was not only a fine cricketer and an
able sports administrator, but he was, Yadvindra Singh showed his
skill in a number of spheres, besides sports. This may have
something to do with his early experience.

Yadvindra Singh studied at Aitchison College, Lahore. Later, he
was also trained at the Police Training Centre, Phillaur. He
conducted the state affairs in the absence of his father. It must
be mentioned here that it was he who played a key role in the
integration of the country during the turbulent period of
partition in 1947 when many princely states had raised the flag of
revolt against the Indian Union. The Indian government gave full
recognition to him and he, along with Mr Krishana Menon
represented India in the United Nations and UNESCO.

As a cricketer, he earned the India colours. From 1939 to 60 he
remained Chairman by his younger brother Raja Bhalindra Singh, who
died in 1992.

Durng his time he was also Ambassador to the Netherlands. It was
during that period that India recorded the sensational World Cup
victory over their arch hockey rivals Pakistan in Amsterdam.

Raja Bhalindra Singh (1919-1992)

The House of Patiala has not only been known for patronising
sports, but it has also been credited with producing great
sportsmen and administrators. No household throughout India can
match the pioneering work done by the Patiala family. Both
Yadvindra Singh and Bhalindra Singh only followed a course which
their ancestors had set for them.

Popularly known as Raja Sahib both in sports and political
circles, Raja Bhalindra Singh belonged to a rare breed of sports
administrators. Sports was not a pastime for him but a passion and
with passion he pursued it throughout his life. He was still
batting when the innings folded up for him.

The Raja did not possess a sports mind only. He himself was a fine
rider, a good cricketer and a fine tennis player. He had the
distinction of donning Cambrige University colours Besides, he
wielded the willow in the Ranjit Trophy as member of the Southern
Punjab team.

But his real break came when he was elected life member of the
International Olympic Committee in 1974. At that time his own
brother, both were born of different Ranis, Maharaja Yadvindra
Singh, was President of the Indian Olympic Association.

From 1959 to 1975, he held the position of President of the IOA.
There was a gap after this. But the Raja once again occupied the
old seat of the chief of the IOA. He held the post till 1984. In
between, the 1982 Asian Games were organised by India in New Delhi
under his patronage. But raja Bhalindra Singh did not confine his
interest only to the IOC or the IOA, but he was equally associated
with athletics, swimming and hockey. A product of famous A product
of famous Aitchison College, Lahore, Raja Bhalindra Singh remained
President of the Patiala Union Olympic Association till 1957. Till
1960, he was the Vice-President of the Punjab Olympic Association.
He had been President of the Amateur Athletics Federation of India
since 1953 and continued in his post till the 80s. In 1964 Tokyo
Olympics Games he was appointed che-de-mission of the India
contingent.

The Government honoured his with the Padma Bhushan Award in
recognition of his services to sports. But that was not the only
award that came his way. He was also given the 1982 International
Distinguished Service Award by the US Sports Academy, having its
headquarters in Mobile (Alabama)

Raja Bhalindra Singh also dabbled in politics for a short period.
He was elected to the Punjab Legistature Assembly in 1958. He
worked in the home and education departments if PEPSU. He also
served as Director of the State Bank of Patiala.

During the 1982 Asian Games he was also President of the Asian
Games Federation. However, the body was disbanded immediately
after the games. In its place, the Olympic Council of Asia was
formed. The Raja was the chief architect in the formation of the
OCA. In fact, at the time of his death, his son Randhir Singh, who
has donned India colours in the Olympic and the Asian Games and
many other international meets as shooter, was the
secretary-general of the Indian Olympic Association as well as the
Olympic Council of Asia.

Though there is not an iota of doubt that this son Randhir Singh
will carry forward the flame lit by Raja Bhalindra Singh in the
world of sports, yet the latter will be remembered for putting
Olympic movement on a firm footing not only in India but in Asia
as well.

Umrao Singh

Mr Umrao Singh is one of the premier Sikh sports administrators in
the country. He has been associated with the sports administration
for the past three decades. During his long tenure which is still
continuing Mr Umrao Singh has served on a number of sports
committees and panels both in India and abroad. After the late
Raja Bhalindra Singh, he was the next most powerful man in the
special Organising Committee of the ninth Asian Games in 1992.

But Mr Umrao Singh is not only a sports administrator. He is a
multi-dimensional personality. Besides being an able administrator
and a fine sportsman, he is a successful politician too. However,
he played a leading role in shaping India's hockey destiny. The
affairs of the Indian Hockey Federation were a shambles in 1975.
Being totally faction-ridden, the IHF was not in a position to
prepare the Indian team for the acid test which they were to face
in the third World Cup Hockey Tournament at Amsterdam in 1975.
Being a close observer of the IHF affairs, Mr Umrao Singh advised
the then Chief Minister of Punjab to approach the IOA for the
preparatory camp prior to the World Cup, offering all expenses
towards coaching and kitting.

What followed later is history. India, under the inspiring
leadership of world renowned centre-half Ajit Pal Singh, stunned
traditional rivals Pakistan in the final to pull out a sensational
victory at Amsterdam.

Another fine aspect of Mr. Umrao Singh's personality is that he
soft-spoken and suave. Never known for losing his temper, he will
listen patiently to a point of view different from his own. It was
under his advice that sports was made a compulsory subject in
Punjab schools.

Though Mr Umrao Singh is known for his association with athletics,
it was not his first love. Born at Guru Har Sahai in Ferozepore
district, he had early education at NAC High School, Burewal.
Later, he studied and played for SN and FC College, Lahore. Hockey
caught his fancy in the school days. It was only later that he
came to be associated with a number of sports organisations.
However, athletics took his prime time. He not only served on the
state associations and national federations, but he contributed a
great deal in promoting sports culture in Asia. He is at present
associated with the Olympic Council of Asia.

Mr Umrao Singh is a close observer of the Indian sports scene
which suffers from various ills. Yet like other administrators, he
is helpless in the present scheme of things. However, none can
deny the fact that sports administrators, both past and present,
have helped in creating a vast network of sports infrastructure in
the country. India is today one of the leading sporting nations in
Asia. It boasts of the best facilities in sports, thanks to able
sports administrators, who opted for the latest equipment and
applied scientific approach to the concept of sports.

I.S. Bindra

A great organiser, a strict disciplinarian and a crusader that is
Mr. Inderjit Singh Bindra. He is ruthlessly blunt. As a result
some fear him while others respect him for the same reason. Yet no
one can deny the fact that Mr Bindra possesses great
organisational skill. He has demonstrated this ability time and
again. The successful conduct of the Reliance Cup Criket
Tournament, jointly hosted by India and Pakistan, in 1987
propelled him to the frontline of sports administrators in the
country. He was the guiding force behind the Reliance Cup show.

But he has not confined himself to cricket alone. During the
period that Mr. Bindra was busy organising the Reliance Cup, he
was also the President of the Table Tennis Federation of India. In
fact, Mr Bindra took the TTFI under his command when his friend ,
Mr S.P. Bagla, relinquished the charge as chief of the federation.
As is his wont, he mobilised great resources for the federation
which then enjoyed the privilege of hosting the 39th World Table
Tennis Championship from February 18 to March 1, 1987, at Delhi.

During the organisation of the 39th World Table Tennis
Championships, he also served as one of the Asian representatives
on the International Table Tennis Federation Council. Other
members of the panel included Saliman Aljabhan, Rabee H.Al Turk,
Koji Kimura, Li Jong Ho and Yap Yong Yih.